In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with Kirsten Root, a Democratic candidate running for Indiana State Senate in District 21. Root, a social worker and La Porte native now living in Sheridan, has built her campaign around a clear guiding belief: Hoosier families deserve systems that support stability — not ones that make life harder.

Their conversation moves through the issues shaping daily life in Indiana, from the pressures facing working families to the gaps in services that leave too many people struggling on their own. Root brings the perspective of someone who has sat with families in crisis, listened to their stories, and seen firsthand what happens when policy fails to meet real‑world needs.

The discussion also opens space for something deeper: grief. Together, Brianna and Kirsten talk about how loss shapes us, how it informs the way we show up for others, and why empathy matters in public service.

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